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Toano resident Lynn Trott, 75, will graduate with honors from William & Mary on Friday. She will receive a bachelor’s degree in art and art history, 57 years after beginning her college education. Trott is an accomplished artist and has been a balladeer at Colonial Williamsburg for 40 years. She enrolled as a part-time student six years ago after auditing classes since 2011. Her husband and daughter are also William & Mary alumni.

MAGRUDER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NAME CHANGE DISCUSSED

York County School Board heard research on the history of Magruder Elementary’s name.

Research suggests the school is indirectly named after Confederate Gen. John B. Magruder, via Fort or village Magruder, which were likely named for him.

Some believed the school was named for the African American settlement community of Magruder.

Public comment will be taken at the next board meeting on May 19.

Board members suggested conducting a community survey about the potential name change.

Concerns were raised about the school division’s policy against naming schools after people and potential implications for other schools.

The board will explore establishing a community survey.

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Magruder Elementary School Name Change Still Under Consideration by York County School Division Officials

A Toano resident responded to a previous commentary, arguing against tax cuts for the wealthy and claiming proposed federal budget cuts would harm vulnerable citizens and average Americans by impacting social services, education, and government agencies. The letter asserted that government support aids private sector success and that Democrats promote policies aimed at upward mobility and access to healthcare, education, housing, employment, and environmental sustainability, expressing concern about potential cuts to Medicare and Social Security.

A James City County resident expressed concern that the US is being taken over by a “criminal mob,” alleging widespread lying, cheating, stealing, and kidnapping normalized within a political party and stating the former president is taking bribes, destroying government, and causing the US to lose global credibility. The letter called for the former president to be impeached and removed, describing his staff as unqualified and alleging he is openly selling favors.

A James City County resident warned local counties about the impact of data centers, stating they tend to proliferate and are appearing near neighborhoods, not just remote areas. The letter highlighted unresolved issues regarding the large power and water needs of data centers and cautioned that replacing farms and wildlife habitats with these facilities is permanent, urging local residents to carefully consider the impacts.

Kyle Debrucque was named J. Blaine Blayton Elementary School’s Volunteer of the Year for coaching the Engineering Club’s KidWind competition teams.
He started volunteering in December to help his stepson with the club’s project on clean energy design.
The fifth-grade team, the Honey Whirlers, placed second at the Virginia State KidWind Challenge last month.
The team and Debrucque are now traveling to Phoenix for the World KidWind Challenge next week.
Debrucque found the experience rewarding and plans to continue volunteering.

Two Democrats, Jay Jones and Shannon Taylor, are facing off in the Virginia primary for Attorney General.
Primary day is June 17, and early voting has begun.
The winner will run against incumbent Republican Attorney General Jason Miyares in the November election.
Both Democrats state Virginia needs to challenge Trump administration actions and criticize Miyares for not joining lawsuits that they say resulted in lost federal funding for the state.
Taylor highlights her experience as a longtime prosecutor in Henrico County.
Jones, a former delegate and assistant attorney general, points to his consumer protection work.
Taylor proposes expanding the Medicaid fraud unit while Jones suggests creating civil rights and labor justice units.
Endorsements from prominent Democrats are divided between the two candidates.
Campaign finance reports indicate Jones has raised more money than Taylor.

M3LODY MAKERS INITIATIVE HOLDS FIRST STUDENT CONCERT

The M3loDy Makers Initiative celebrated its first concert featuring its inaugural student group.
The performance took place on May 8 at Waller Mill Elementary School in Williamsburg.
This program is a partnership between the Williamsburg Regional Library and the Williamsburg Youth Orchestra.
It aims to make violin lessons more accessible, including by providing 3D printed violins made at the library.
Students were instructed by Jena Chenkin and Mary Dart Jackson.
Fourteen students performed several songs during the event.

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M3loDy Makers Initiative Celebrates First Concert for its First Students

The York County School Board plans to seek community input on potentially renaming Magruder Elementary School due to concerns about the name’s possible link to a Confederate general.

Williamsburg is seeking community input on a proposed new downtown library.
Public input sessions will be held at the Williamsburg Fire Department.
Sessions are Thursday, May 16 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. and Monday, May 20 from 1 to 3:30 p.m.
An online survey for feedback is available from May 16 through May 30 at wrl.org/new-library.
The city is gathering feedback to understand community needs for the proposed project to replace the aging current library.

Frank Shatz interviewed author David Alistair Yalof about his new book George Washington and the Two-Term Precedent. Yalof wrote the book prompted by recent discussions about presidents potentially running for more than two terms. The book argues George Washington’s decision to step down after two terms established the crucial precedent for peaceful power transition and preventing a perpetual presidency. Washington believed rotation in office was essential for maintaining a republic rather than a monarchy. Presidents like Jefferson and Truman later upheld the two-term limit, while Grant, Wilson, and Franklin D. Roosevelt attempted to run for third terms, though only FDR succeeded. A constitutional amendment now limits presidents to two terms, and changing this rule could harm the republic by encouraging presidents to stay in office indefinitely.

POLICE UNITY TOUR HONORS FALLEN OFFICERS

Deputies from the York-Poquoson Sheriff’s Office participated in the 2025 Police Unity Tour.
The tour is a bicycle ride by law enforcement officers honoring those killed in the line of duty.
The York-Poquoson Sheriff’s Office is part of Chapter 8, which rode through their jurisdiction.
Participants ride to Washington D.C. for the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial ceremony.
The purpose is to remember fallen officers, with riders often wearing bracelets bearing their names.
The tour supports the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund.

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York-Poquoson Sheriff’s Office Participates in Police Unity Tour